George Dubya, 17 Jun 2009An enlightening article below. Americans seem to have no choice but to use up their voice call... moreI don't know where you live, I live in HK, where our lowest monthly fee (from 5 carriers within a 40 sq mi radius) costs about US$4...yes US$4, for about 500+ mins, and 500 internetwork SMS and unlimited intranetwork SMS.

I know my mom and my parents in laws never send any SMS. For myself, I probably text about at most 15% of the time.

Based on the above figures, can you judge whether or not HK is more advance than US in terms of mobile technology?

I don't think so, as the geography of HK & US is quite different!

Think about the same thing for US, how many cell sites would be needed to cover, for example, the San Francisco Bay Area? I don't have the specific figures, though the several cities around San Francisco spread out way more than 40 miles already. How about the whole US?

That's just my guess as to why US (GSM) monthly charges are more expensive, than let's say, a typical country in Europe, as one single state like California is already bigger than many nations. Hence the cost of building the infrastructure is much higher than other places around the world, with possibly relatively not as much population / customers to support.

Here is another fact, in HK with near 7 million population, registered mobile phone users (on montly plans) exceed over 15 million, meaning on average each person has 2 mobile numbers. (personally I've over 5 accounts with all networks, so to test which offers the best reception in my office last year, along with the different services by each carrier, and in total I do spend over US$40 every month) Population of course includes those under 8 years old, who are likely "not" being registered with any service.

However, most Americans I know only have "one" mobile phone number.

Corret me if I'm wrong, one of the reasons for HK's low price on monthly fees, in addition to the relatively small area, is the fact in such a small place, the government allows "5" carriers to compete each other, and we can easily bring our numbers to another carrier for many years.

However, in US I "feel" T-mobile has simply given up competing with AT&T to improve its network coverage. Hence AT&T doesn't really need to lower its montly fees to "compete" with its main competitor. Of course there are Sprint & Verizon, though I'm not sure if one can carry the number to another carrier in US...(would appreciate if someone can clarify), but definitely one can't change phone easily as CDMA network in US doesn't use any SIM card at all.

George Dubya, 17 Jun 2009An enlightening article below. Americans seem to have no choice but to use up their voice call... moreYes, I am right that SMS is the main way of communicating on other countries because it is cheaper. I'm from the Philippines, so I know. We send text messages because our "load" will run out quickly if we use it to call =) Be realistic. SMS should not be the benchmark of technology. It is merely an option or a cheap alternative. Voice calling is still the more effective way of communicating. Let's not go backwards here ok.

An enlightening article below. Americans seem to have no choice but to use up their voice call minutes since, unlike in the rest of the world, when they buy a phone they are basically getting it on a contract with a mobile network, that's why the "free minutes" are expensive in the long run, it subsidizes a big part of the actual cost of the handset they're getting. Those in the US have no idea how much cheaper voice calls & SMS are in countries, even the so-called "rich" countries where SMS is very popular. That is why they have this ignorant notion that SMS is only used by "poor people", despite solid market research belying that claim.

Jteve Sobs, 15 Jun 2009All that hardware and fancy UI, and it still can't do SMS texting properly and fast enough due... moreI have worked for a cell phone carrier since 1999 in the US. We were AMPS/TDMA when I started and are now 850mhz GSM. We are a small, independent fairly rural carrier and WE have had SMS available since 2001. I am not sure where you "heard" that we don't use SMS, but I personally use about 10,000 per month..My employee account, with 4 other mobiles (non-employee family members) uses nearly 40,000 a month total. Yay for assumptions. BTW. Not a single one of us carries an iPhone, but 2 of us use Blackberry Curves (8310 & 8900).

An enlightening article below. Americans seem to have no choice but to use up their voice call minutes since, unlike in the rest of the world, when they buy a phone they are basically getting it on a contract with a mobile network, that's why the "free minutes" are expensive in the long run, it subsidizes a big part of the actual cost of the handset they're getting. Those in the US have no idea how much cheaper voice calls & SMS are in other countries, even the so-called "rich" countries where SMS is very popular. That's why they have this ignorant notion that only "poor people" use SMS over voice calls, even with confronted with solid scientific data from market research.

Also, Blackberry, yes, that company which makes phones with a hardware QWERTY keyboard, became popular only in the US, precisely because of that keyboard. SO are the anonymous geniuses below telling me that those Americans using the Blackberry for email & SMS are "too poor" compared to themselves who use voice calls more than text? Haha, silly reasoning. Only from defensive users stuck in a technological backwater.

Anonymous, 16 Jun 2009The lack of the hard keyboard on the iphone is a decision Apple had to make. Either have THIC... moreWith the new OS 3.0 update opening the dock to developers I wouldn't give it too long before we start seeing plug in and Bluetooth keyboards and game controllers among other things.

Read up a little!!, 15 Jun 2009I didn't say the iPhone in the US runs on CDMA, read carefully next time. I mentioned CDMA bec... moreWhich country are you comparing the US to? SMS is not that popular in the US because we have VOICE plans. SMS is not as effective as VOICE. SMS is a CHEAP alternative for making calls. People in the US can afford to make phone calls. Phone calls can relay a message faster than SMS, lol. You can also get the reply faster than SMS because you are actually talking to the person, lol. So how can SMS be the benchmark of a technologically advanced nation? To be honest with you, SMS is really popular in 3rd world countries where they CANNOT AFFORD voice plans. So please. Even today, SMS is still an alternative means of communication in the US. People here still use their cellphones MAINLY to make calls. People here only use SMS if you do not like, or trying to avoid to speak to someone, lol. It does not make the US primitive because we prefer VOICE over SMS. Use your common sense. Yeah, Finnish, Japanese and Korean mobile technology and network infrastructure are so advanced that they are trying to copy everything about the iphone, even trying to copy the app store, lol. You're in a denial state.

Jteve Sobs, 15 Jun 2009All that hardware and fancy UI, and it still can't do SMS texting properly and fast enough due... moreThe lack of the hard keyboard on the iphone is a decision Apple had to make. Either have THICK phone with a hard keyboard, or a slim phone with a soft keyboard. Now if you cannot live without a hard keyboard, that is your choice, but you cannot hold that against Apple if they do not conform with your standards. The iphone may not have a hard keyboard, but it does not have that creaky quality that the N97 and other devices w/ a slide out hard keyboard have.

Yes, it's only in the last couple of years that SMS has become popular in the US. And even currently, SMS is still not the main practice here in the US. Why? It's not because we're behind in technology or anything, but because people here still prefer to make a call, and can AFFORD to make a call, lol, while 3rd world countries can only afford to SMS =) SMS in the US is mostly used by kids. Adults prefer making phone calls, and only SMS every once in a while.

Anonymous, 15 Jun 2009another thing to mention, is do you know what jd powers is? it's not base off the product but ... moreI know what JD powers is, do you? Customer satisfaction and product quality and performance is relative. No customer would be satisfied if the product does not perform well. JD Powers have been giving award to Japanese auto makers silly willy. Lexus came second this year, Jaguar became the leader in customer satisfaction. Those are not US automakers, lol. You're the one who needs to get your facts right. Who's bashing? Gosh, some people are just so desperate, lol.

Anonymous, 15 Jun 2009you are quite silly and for as jd power goes,give me a break. the iphone has a larger market o... moreNokia nseries has been in the US much longer that the iphone, so quit making excuses that the iphone has a larger market in the US than the Nseries, lol. There have been apps for viewing news on the iphone for a while now, lol. And what do you mean by it takes forever to update? Those news are updated regularly, at least daily. Name me the app that you are talking about. My iphone takes decent pictures in clubs, I do not need to bring my digital cam with me. And it is really not my thing to take pictures in clubs. I think it's quite unnecessary. I mean, why would I take pictures every Friday and Saturday at a club? I go to pretty much the same clubs every weekend, lol, why do I need to take pictures every time? It's not a question whether you can or can't afford to buy a product. It's about being a smart and practical buyer. Smart and practical buyers don't just buy products just because they can afford it, lol. Should I buy 10 cars just because I can afford to buy 10 cars even if I don't need 10 cars? It does not make sense. I can tell that you are not a smart and practical shopper.

Anonymous, 14 Jun 2009"The iphone received JD powers consumer and business satisfaction awards, so what you're sayin... moreWho said that the iphone received 100% customer satisfaction? I was asking if you can name me a phone that ever received 100% customer satisfaction, to make a point that it's silly to point out that there are some customers who have complains about the iphone. JD powers is a reputable entity. Are you saying that they cannot be trusted? Wow, your hate for the iphone is really making you go loco.

Anonymous, 16 Jun 2009Allow me to share my understanding of CDMA vs. GSM and US mobile market vs. the rest of the wo... moreThe 850 and 900 3G bands were bought improve coverage, AT&T are phasing it in, in Australia Telstra replaced CDMA with an 850 network, the other networks are bringing in 900 networks.

These lower frequencies have longer range than the more traditional 1900/2100 bands.

I don't think CDMA offers voice and data transmissions at the same time like 3G GSM.

Anonymous, 15 Jun 2009This is a discussion about Iphone not on the merits of GSM vs CDMA. If anyone really wants to ... moreAllow me to share my understanding of CDMA vs. GSM and US mobile market vs. the rest of the world...

- CDMA is much more efficient, where each cell site can reach a far greater radius than comparable GSM ones. Hence in rural areas or middle of the harbor / sea / lake / river etc...CDMA provides better reception than GSM counterparts.

Meanwhile, GSM provides good reception within a shorter range, especially in urban / metropolitan areas, where more cell sites can be placed at various buidlings.

- All GSM phones work based on SIM cards, while the "American" version of CDMA doesn't have any (swappable) SIM card at all. The availability to swap SIM cards makes people can own multiple phones with the same SIM card, or easily resell the old units for a new one. Hence making the GSM market more prosperous than CDMA, where one must be with contract with the network service provider. CDMA phones with swappable SIM cards are available in mainland China (not sure about South Korea and other CDMA running countries)

- Population in US is more widespread where friends and family may live quite far away to the point they only see each other once a year, if not less. Hence some people, especially those not living in big cities, may care little less what the mobile phone world has evolved to as long as a phone can make and receive calls.

- Most Americans have their own cars, which take up a good part of thier spending power in terms of maintenance or performance upgrades. While most others in the world may spend US$400, $600 or even $800 on a phone, many Americans probably would spend the same (or at least a good chunk) of the $ on their cars. Hence iphones are mostly sold with contract at US$199 a piece, vs. "full price" of over US$600...

Just because Americans use their phones differently from the rest of the world, that doesn't mean US is necessary behind in terms of technology. From basic things like air-conditioning (and I do mean "conditioning", rather than "cold air" or "hot air" in many other places around the world), always ready hot water, to really hi-tech stuff like space shuttle, commerical aircrafts, jetfoils (smoothest vessel on water), etc...

Remember some of the things we use everyday came from US military technology, such as internet, laptop computers, GPS, etc...(I heard what the public sector uses today is about 5~10 years behind in terms of military technology)

Back to iphone, I think in terms of "specs", it may not be top-of-the-line as we speak in 2008/2009, though its main features are internet browsing and user friendliness. Iphone probably isn't desgined for techno-savvy people who can take the phones apart or customize / modify the phones in the way they want. Rather, iphones provide "easy way out" for most who want everything simply comes with the phones.

Regarding the qwerty keypad, if iphone incorporates a slide out keypad, the first thing Apple will lose are the ladies market, and in where I live, they compose of at least 30%~40% of iphones sales. Most ladies do not want to carry a "brick" around. If you don't believe me, ask your better half to see if she wants to carry an iphone or N97 from the almighty brand.